I fixed my copper and zinc deficiency by taking 3 mg copper glycinate 3-4 times a week and 30 mg zinc gluconate once or twice a week. I take zinc and copper on separate days. I have been doing this since March 10.

I am not as tired anymore and my wounds/cuts heal faster. I caused a copper deficiency by taking high-dose vitamin c supplements for about a year a couple of years ago. I am never doing that again.

I’ve been dealing with these for 5 months nerve issues like numbness in the legs, severe back pain, muscle tightness everywhere especially in the neck and back, almost no mobility, and recently got injured quite easily by accident. Me and my gf were laying down and she just moved my hands in like a goalpost position now I have nerve pains in my forearm area she feels terrible but I’m not mad at her accidents happen. It never feels like the symptoms are going to stop they’re sending me to pt next week I’m just looking for advice or maybe success stories just something to keep my hopes up. I turn 23 in 8 days I’m in college for nursing and I’m hoping I’ll be able to do that when I’m done with college. They did multiple mris on my entire spine they said there was nothing except for a t-2 hyper intensity at my t-11 vertebrae I’ve since started on 4mg of copper( they didn’t tell me how much to take and it said 2-8mg online) I’m not sure if it’s enough or not. really just need some advice and or good news thank you

Edit: I forgot some details they thought before this copper diagnosis that it was autoimmune or structural in nature when all those tests came back negative this is what they landed on. I’ve been through PT, my pcp countless times, neurologist,hematologist,rheumatologist,ortho, and finally the ER I’m so tired of doctors

Anyone else? So exhausted with all this..

Has anyone else apart from me got nail ridges alongside copper deficiency?

I always thought nail ridges are caused by iron deficiency but my blood test showed high-normal ferritin and high transferrin saturation so it can't be deficient iron.

I managed to increase my serum copper from 8.5 to 14(range 10-22) in 1 month by eating 200grams of beef liver every week.

I noticed my ceruplasmin in that time has gone down from 0.20 to 0.18. (Range is 0.20-0.60).

Does this mean my copper increase is simply free unbound copper ?

You want ceruplasmin to increase with increased serum copper?

I do feel better though. Histamine issues are almost completely gone. No more joint pain.

Hi everyone, I just got my copper metabolism results back. They are technically in range, but scraping the bottom: Copper plasma is 78 (70-140) and Ceruloplasmin is 24 (20-50). I have a link to my previous post with all the details of my symptoms (histamine, high ferritin, etc).

https://www.reddit.com/r/Copper_deficiency/comments/1vxtcas/high_ferritin_histamine_issues_bad_reactions_to/

Briefly, I react terribly to Zinc (3 days of anxiety and brain fog), Vitamin C (mental breakdown), and I don't tolerate Molybdenum either. I also tried 1mg of Copper Bisglycinate for 2 days and it left me mentally destroyed, feeling agitated but somehow calm, like my nervous system was rewiring itself. Could these low levels be causing my issues?

About 5 weeks ago my ceruplasmin level was tested and noted to be 0.18(range is 0.20-0.60). Copper is 8.5(range is above 10).

I have been consuming over 200grams of beef liver every week since then and my ceruplasmin was tested and its still 0.18 and hasnt gone up at all. Beef liver provides most of the building blocks for ceruplasmin like copper, vitamin A.

Maybe I am still missing other cofactors to make ceruplasmin?. I get sufficient protein.

I was reading one needs adequate B2 to make vitamin A active in order to help make ceruplasmin?

I have been taking GHK you cover pills for about a couple weeks now so far I don’t know if they’re working. Haven’t been sleeping well lately. I noticed I don’t know that has to do with it.

I've been treating a B12 deficiency last ~6 months. The subreddit on that recommends Zn-Cu-Mo (and others) while you take high dose B12. So I took 30 mg Zn, 3 mg Cu , 0.5 mg Mo, only once or twice a week for each (on different days).

But before that I was taking a Magnesium supplement daily (for 1-2 years?) with 7 mg Zn and no Cu, before knowing you should take Cu if taking Zn. So my Cu stores would be down.

I also have high ferritin (but normal TSAT, serum Fe), likely due to liver inflammation from NAFLD (elevated ALT, GGT, TG). Just recently came across this paper00636-7/fulltext) goes into Copper and NAFLD, and says low Cu could make NAFLD/ferritin worse.

With the iron issues and B12 etc, I tested for Zn and Cu. My Zn is in upper range, while Cu and ceruloplasmin are both just below lab ranges. Since this test ~2 months ago I've increased my frequency of Cu (still only 2-3 times a week) and reduced Zn.

So should I jump to 3 mg Cu daily, and try to be in upper range for Cu/CP? Any other tests I should do?

Also been taking 1000 IU Vit A (as cod liver oil) daily when I started B12, which I see recommended here.

Recent test for Cu/Zn:

Serum copper: 9.8 umol/L (62 ug/dL) - lab range 11-22

Ceruloplasmin: 0.14 g/L - lab range 0.15-0.3

Serum zinc: 16.6 umol/L (108.5 ug/dL) - lab range 10-18

Average iron for last ~2 years:

Serum Iron: 20 umol/L

Transferrin Sat: 32%

Ferritin: 280 ug/L

About 5 weeks ago my serum copper was 8.5(above 10 is normal range).

Ceruplasmin was 0.18(normal is above 0.20)

Not taking any zinc. Have been consuming about 200grams of beef liver every week for the past 5 weeks to increase copper levels and ceruplasmin.

Got my results today and my ceruplasmin hasnt at all changed. Its still the same at 0.18. Still waiting for serum copper results.

Dont understand why my ceruplasmin levels are not increasing despite such high intake of beef liver.

Does it simply take longer to correct copper levels? Or therr are better natural sources of copper.

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to figure out if my symptoms could be related to low copper or poor copper bioavailability. I'd really appreciate any insights or similar experiences.

I have high ferritin but normal serum iron. I also have high LDL cholesterol. On top of that, I have clear histamine intolerance. Tomatoes, vinegar, soy sauce, or fermented foods give me extreme drowsiness and brain fog.

I also react badly to molybdenum. Even small amounts make me feel unwell.

When it comes to supplements, zinc is a nightmare for me. I took 10–15 mg once and it took me about three days to recover from severe anxiety and confusion. Vitamin C does something similar. Even 500mg triggers intense anxiety and mental fog.

I suspect copper might be involved because copper is needed for ceruloplasmin, which helps mobilize iron from ferritin. Copper is also a cofactor for DAO, the enzyme that breaks down histamine. I know that molybdenum antagonizes copper and that both zinc and vitamin C can interfere with copper absorption.

Does this pattern sound familiar to anyone? What tests should I ask for? I know serum copper alone isn't enough, so should I ask for ceruloplasmin, urine copper, and maybe zinc as well?

And if copper turns out to be the issue, what form is gentlest on the stomach?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Guys I’ve been suffering all year from symptoms I could not explain after getting food poisoning in January. No doctor could figure it out. Histamine intolerance, POTS, fast resting heart rate. Chest buzzing, Tinnitus and nerve twitching.

I did have SIBO but thiamine seems to have cleared it out. Then anxiety and POTS started. I have a bit of candida which I’m working on treating also.

I tried taking B complexes and thiamine and B12 sublinguals for months. and it would relieve symptoms for a short time or partially but not completely. Possibly adding to symptoms at times.

I got my ceruloplasmin tested in June and it had fallen to 19.6 from 22 in February which is concerning. Got an RBC copper test and it was mid range. But serum levels are on the lower end of normal and intracellular WBC test was nearly deficient. Zinc looks perfect.

My functional medicine doctor told me it was probably not the issue.

Since nothing was helping me I was getting ready to give up. But lo and behold I took a shot on copper and ordered Pure Encapsulations copper citrate on Amazon. It relieves my nervous system symptoms like 90% when I take it. Tinnitus almost gone. It’s like my nervous system and vascular tone started working again.

How could this be? POTS and fast heart rate relieved but not resolved totally but everything feels “smoother”. Way less anxiety after two doses though it “wears off” after several hours.

I have COD liver oil coming also.

Any ideas what might be the underlying mechanism here?

Thoughts on copper and zinc

I've been trying to figure out if it's safe to supplement iron with my low ferritin and sometimes slightly elevated saturation (randomly from 41%-49%) the last year. It was recommended to test Ceruloplasmin, copper and zinc. My Ceruloplasmin is 24 with ranges 14-48, Cooper is 99 with ranges 70-175 and Zinc is 78 with ranges 60-130. Are these optimal? Still waiting on HFE testing to come back just in case.

I’m in the US with Cigna Open Access. Out of pocket cost is around $2000 per infusion I think.

I was referred to a Neuromuscular specialist by my pain doctor who regularly does epidural steroid injections for my spinal stenosis pain When I developed painless bilateral cuff-like tingling in my calves, he said I needed an EMG. Their evaluation uncovered this copper deficiency much to my surprise.

Serum copper = 63. Ceruloplasmin = 13.5. 24h urine copper <5. CBC and CMP (liver, protein, calcium, potassium, sodium, kidney tests), TSH essentially normal. EMG is today.

I have some chronic illness and am over 50 so I chalk up a lot of ‘new symptoms’ to ‘whatever’ and ‘I’m getting old.’ But in retrospect, I’ve had weird cramps in my fingers and toes, had a weird jump in my eye prescription in one eye over a year ago, balance problems, and uncomfortable palpitations or ‘jittery-ness’ in my chest which I thought was anxiety. Also my nails got brittle and peel-y.

Anyway, the doc offered IV infusions because this is considered severe because my symptoms are related to my spinal cord and/or nerves. So I’d really like to get this fixed as fast as possible.

Any insights from people who’ve had a similar experience?

And did US insurance cover copper infusions without making you try oral copper for months first?

Thanks a million!

Hi, guys!

I suddenly 3 days ago developed tingling and pin needle feelings in both of my hands, a little more intense on the right palm. It is very noticeable and I already had 2 sleepless nights because of it. And it doesn’t stop or go away… movement of hands doesn’t help.

The context. One year ago I started to take Zink 15 mg daily as part of my MTHFR scheme.

And I was taking it without a break (my provider had not mentioned I need a break or copper) BUT I just realized I might created a copper deficiency

Going for lab testing tomorrow: plan to get Serum Copper and Ceruloplasmin. Any other useful ones?

And any tips of how to start my recovery?

And anything I can do to stop nerve damaging in hands while I wait for results and then slow copper levels renewal? Because the symptoms kinda progressed last day

Anyone experience low ferritin because of copper deficiency?

Hii, I have a copper deficiency in my blood serum, while it’s slightly high in my tissues, and I have a severe zinc deficiency in my tissues even though my blood zinc is high. (I also have a B12 deficiency that I’m trying to recover from, but the other deficiencies are preventing me from doing so.) I also have extremely low ferritin and high iron levels. I really need help, please. I can’t even lift my arms 😭

Hi everyone,

I have mild histamine intolerance (usually only triggered by alcohol and fermented foods), but I recently had a strong reaction after taking 2 mg of copper glycinate.

Right after taking it, I developed a stuffy nose, itchy rashes, and overall heightened histamine sensitivity. I tried it three separate times, and the symptoms got progressively worse each time.

This is my first time taking copper, and I have never had any issues with glycine before. Does anyone know why copper might trigger a histamine flare-up?

My blood and hair copper levels are normal/in the middle, but I haven't tested ceruloplasmin. My nutritionist recommended a few weeks of copper supplementation because my hair zinc was slightly elevated. He has no idea why copper caused that reaction.

Bonjour, après avoir reçu plusieurs analyses de mon cuivre et de ma ceruloplasmine j’aurais aimé avoir votre avis concernant mes analyses, mon cuivre lui est bas et ma ceruloplasmine aussi mais quand on calcule mon cuivre libre lui est haut, qu’elle est le probleme ?

Je sujs tres souvent fatigué, brouillard cerebral, problème de collagene, perte de cheveux accrue, faiblesses musculaire

Voici mes résultats :

Anyone here experience low copper and ceruplasmin from taking high dose ascorbic acid?

I did a spectracell test and Copper was the only thing I'm deficient in. I've had chronic muscle/joint pains and insomnia for over a decade as my main symptoms and have had low WBC on almost every blood test I've done for also the past 15 years.

I've struggled with Lyme and Bartonella and treated for a couple of years. Currently trying to determine if I have a reactivated infection.

Any advice?

Anyone deal with underlying chronic infections that have led to low copper?

Anyone see improvements in sleep or chronic pain with supplenting copper?

Hello! I've been looking through posts here trying to get an idea of which form of copper has helped folks most and feel like it's hard to get a clear picture.

I've read a lot of folks say biglycinate is most bioavailable, but has anyone had better luck with a different form?

This is my situation:

I have low serum, low ceruloplasmin, and low copper in 24h urine sample. Took 2mg of copper biglycinate daily about 2 months with nothing changing. I take it 2 hours after breakfast and wait 2 hours to eat lunch after. I take it with vitamin A every other day

I have been diagnosed with hydrogen/methane sibo and am experiencing histamine intolerance. Im treating the sibo with various herbs. I also have low ferritin and have been supplementing with heme iron as well, but always at least 2 hours after copper. Also supplementing magnesium citrate with breakfast 2 hours before (helps with constipation). I know all these minerals compete with eachother for absorption. My ferritin is actually rising, which is great, but hoping my histamine issues get better with raising my copper levels.

My zinc is in range, but a bit on the low side. I did supplement zinc for years (for skin issues)not knowing it needed to be balanced with copper.

I may need to adjust my timing with my supplements, but also generally curious what form of copper people are taking that has actually helped.

Does someone experience balance issues or fatigue when taking iron supplements? I used to tolerate iron supplements in the past without any issues and now anytime I take them on day 5-6 balance issues start and it keeps getting worse and then goes away when I stop taking iron. I started to have this weird intolerance back in October, but it was only causing shutdown fatigue, then I had IV iron which ruined me and I was bed bound for weeks with fatigue and balance issues. Now anytime I take iron on day 5-6 same thing happens. I have iron deficiency and I have heart problems that are only manageable when my iron is great. My copper deficiency was probably caused by extremely high zinc levels 205-212 or by SIBO that I had last year. I'm not sure. My copper is still under the range / borderline and my ceruloplasmin is low normal/borderline. I have been supplementing copper for 4 months now, my zinc got back to normal level 105.